Co-Angler Advice....bfl's Etc.

[bassmaster8100]

So I've been fishing as a co-angler for a few years now and thought I'd share a few tips for those who fish as co-anglers or may be thinking of doing so. I've seen some discouraging things posted about getting into BFL's as a co-angler in the past. Things such as if you don't have a boater to link with your chances of getting in are low. I do not link with a boater and I get into every one I register for. So here is my advice on that register early don't wait til the last minute. I register for every one online and usually do it like 4 weeks or so before the tournament I always start on the waiting list but I'm always confirmed a couple of weeks before the tournament. No worries this way. If you insist on registering the Friday before the tournament get there early. Registration typically runs from 4-6 followed by pairings and a meeting at 6:30. Don't show up at 6 and expect to get a boater. I see people do this at almost every tournament. The early bird gets the worm.

 

When you meet with your boater, here is what I suggest first give him money for fuel. It is costly to tow a boat and to run the boat, do your part to help him. Also I always offer to bring ice and ask if there is anything else he needs. You're going to be on the water with this guy in his boat for 8 plus hours make sure you do your part so he's not upset with you for not doing so. Find out what his game plan is for the tournament and prepare your rods and takcle accordingly. I do have my own boat and I do prefish however if you do this understand you are more or less just getting a feel for what's going on in the lake and the layout of the lake if you haven't been there before. You will be fishing his spots. I always let my boater know I have prefished and what I found. I have yet had a boater want to go to my spots which is what I expect but I always offer the info. An example of this is a few months back my boater and I both prefished but found fish at the opposite end of the lake. I found them cranking rocks and he found them flipping reeds. We flipped reeds all day. If you are meeting your boater at the lake be there before him to help him launch the boat and hopefully you know how to back a trailor.

 

You have to be versatile as a co-angler. We all have our own styles and our own strengths but be prepared his may not be what yours are. Do not fish with the exact same thing he is. I suggest the same type of bait but a different presentation. If he's good he's gonna pick off the easy fish. Also pay attention to how he's fish and adjust accordingly. An example of this in the last tournament I fished my boater pitched a brush hog 90% of the day. I fished behind him with a jig and a senko.

 

Just my 2 cents hope it helps someone.

[Code54]

I know nothing about tournament fishing so I enjoyed reading your post and learned a few thing I may not have thought of.  Thanks for posting

[CDMeyer]

I plan to do some BFL's in the future and have wondered all that so thank you very much

[Mike L]

Excellent post! Very well said and 100%

I fish BFL, TBF, ABA and a local club as a co angler for years and your points pertain to all of them.

Mike

[gripnrip]

Great info man.  I fish from the back in my club. I as thinking about some BFL's in the future.  This will help me out.  Thanks! 

[Lund Explorer]

Where was this guy when I was drawing non-boaters?

[Coherence]

Some great and thoughtful tips here. I bet Anglers are glad to draw you.

[bassmaster8100]

Some great and thoughtful tips here. I bet Anglers are glad to draw you.

Just hope someone returns the favor when I make my move to the boater side.

[Trek]

  When I use to fished what I call draw tournaments as a boater the biggest thing I tried to do was break the tension. I would get non boaters show up that were so nervous  that you knew they weren't going to be any help for the first couple of hours. So the morning of the tournament I would talk to them about other things then fishing to slow them down. Then when we got the boat in the water and was sitting there waiting to go i would always ask them what they did for a living. They would tell me then ask me what I did. I would always say I ran a call girl service out of Columbus Ohio. The responses to that I could write a book on. But it started our day off with a laugh and then we could just go fishing.  So my point here is for boaters and non boaters is to find a way to break the ice so that both of you can relax and go fishing. Starting off your day all jacked up is only going to make you miss a fish or two that you wish you had at the end of the day.

[Felix77]

A lot of co-anglers get into the sport without even considering any of this input.  Call it ignorance or whatever but the more we can educate them the better off the sport will be.  Nice post.

[bassmaster8100]

When I use to fished what I call draw tournaments as a boater the biggest thing I tried to do was break the tension. I would get non boaters show up that were so nervous that you knew they weren't going to be any help for the first couple of hours. So the morning of the tournament I would talk to them about other things then fishing to slow them down. Then when we got the boat in the water and was sitting there waiting to go i would always ask them what they did for a living. They would tell me then ask me what I did. I would always say I ran a call girl service out of Columbus Ohio. The responses to that I could write a book on. But it started our day off with a laugh and then we could just go fishing. So my point here is for boaters and non boaters is to find a way to break the ice so that both of you can relax and go fishing. Starting off your day all jacked up is only going to make you miss a fish or two that you wish you had at the end of the day.

Excellent point!

[avidfishr]

Great advice, I am just starting out as a co angler this year and was hoping to fish a couple of tourneys in 2014 and then go full season in 2015. Struck out on the ABA Texas SE but I am on the waiting list for the BFL Cowboy, I registered 7 weeks early so I really hope I get to fish. I have been reading allot on what to expect as a co angler and this is great information. I noticed that you pay for fuel up front, most articles I have read mentioned paying at the end??

[AMAC]

For all co-anglers check out this web-site, fishingtheback.com. Its just for the co-angler and several

Touring co's write articles including myself have one coming soon. They cover different techinques, presentations, and how to be successful in the back of the boat.

[gripnrip]

For all co-anglers check out this web-site, fishingtheback.com. Its just for the co-angler and several

Touring co's write articles including myself have one coming soon. They cover different techinques, presentations, and how to be successful in the back of the boat.

Thanks man!  That is an awesome site!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Don't be afraid to fish off the deep side of the boat if the boater is beating the bank and not leaving many targets. You can get a couple of big bites this way. Also perfect your back hand pitch. I can't count the number of fish I've caught off the back side of cover as the boat passed. You have to be watching and sometimes wait to get the angle on a good target. If he's really cruising down the bank you'll need to throw a heavier bait for a quick in and out reaction bite. Lastly, if you're going to net for the boater ask him his preferred style. Some want to lead the fish into the net and get Po'ed if you stab at them and others expect you to practically go swimming for them. 

[Logan S]

Don't be afraid to fish off the deep side of the boat if the boater is beating the bank and not leaving many targets. 

Personally, I would be careful with this advice...I don't like it when a Co fishes of the opposite side of me for a few reasons.  

 

1:  If his/her line is on the opposite side I'm more likely to not know where it is.  I have actually had a Co's line get caught in my trolling motor due to this, honest mistake but avoidable nonetheless.  This is especially important if you are out fishing in the wind or open water where the boat is likely to move around more than it would if you were tucked in a pocket/cove.   

 

2:  If I'm in a pocket or cove fishing I don't like the Co casting off the opposite side to targets for obvious reasons...He would be skipping ahead of me.  The idea being that we will be moving through the cove and getting to that side eventually.  

 

I know that's not exactly what you are advocating with your post, but it's something Co's should think about that's related...

 

 

 

As for stuff to add from the boater side...One thing I always do if I have a new Co in my boat (that I haven't fished with before), is to give them a run down of how I operate.  It's usually just a few sentences.

 

1:  Cast where you want, within reason.  I'll let you know if you get to aggressive.  

2:  Stay on the same side as me for a general rule of thumb.

3:  Keep the well area clear to step through.  

 

I've never really had any issues and I'd like to think most Co's enjoy fishing in my boat

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

 No, I never cast ahead of the 3 & 9 o'clock positions without express permission. My point was just that right on the bank isn't the only place to get bites. Communication is key as is mutual respect. I respect the boater, his equipment and hospitality but I expect nothing less in return. This goes for all aspects of life for me. Sounds like we get along just fine!